This is a re-post from a couple of years ago. It has been edited a bit... adding things relevant to my current struggles. The hard really is what makes it great... and don't let the enemy tell you otherwise.

"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great!" - Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own

One of my favorite quotes… one of my favorite actors… one of my favorite movies. If you are not as obsessed with baseball as I am, you may have missed “A League of Their Own.” It's Hollywood's version of the AAPGBL (All-American Girls Professional Baseball League), a women's baseball league set up during the war from the 1940s to the early 1950s. At one time in my life (about 15 years ago), I actually wanted to try out for the Colorado women’s professional baseball team. I know, crazy dream… one of many I have never chased.

Some recent things in my world have gotten me thinking more about this quote, and my mind has gone back to times in my life when I have let the “hard” keep me from going after my dreams. One in particular was during my freshman year at ECU. During the first couple of weeks of the semester, I actually went to the first day of tryouts for the tennis team. There were 6 of us trying out for 1 spot, and instead of giving it my all, I quit after the first day. Chicken.

Well, here I am again. I'm working toward something that God has called me to... and I'm scared to death. I feel like quitting... like I won't be ready in time. I'm having moments where I'm just not sure I can handle the warfare that I surely am about to face. But He keeps reminding me of the calling. Of the experiences in my life that have brought me to this moment. That I should keep pushing.

No more looking back. From this moment on, I cannot allow the "hard" of something to keep me from giving my all.

Sometimes, I feel like I just keep banging my head against the wall... 1 step forward, 2 steps back. The same mistakes. The same selfish ambitions. The same self-consuming thoughts. The same pride.

Over and over again...

This cycle seems too "hard" to break. And in my OWN strength, it is.

God never told us that His way would be easy. He only told us that He would see us through. HE alone is our strength. HE alone is our Creator and HE created each one of us with a purpose. If we are too afraid to go through the "hard," how can we really see His true purpose for our lives? This is a challenge to go forward... stop looking back... do what HE wants you to do, no matter how tough, no matter what it takes. The only way to true LIFE is to push on through the hard parts, letting HIM lead you! Don't be chicken!

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" - Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

7 Responses to "The Hard Is What Makes It Great"

Here I am commenting again. This is great. We all face things that are hard. Can I ask what it is that God is calling you to do? Don't want to be nosy. I certainly understand if you keep some things to yourself. I feel like God has called me to write. I get caught up in a sort of 5-year-plan, and I get stressed that I won't have anything accomplished in 5 years. But God will take care of everything if that's His plan. A friend of mine told me, "It doesn't matter if your writing is perfect. God is just calling you to write." By the way, I played softball and so do my girls. Both pitchers! It's nice getting to know you!

Hey again! :) You're not being nosy... don't worry. God has called me to write... not sure exactly what that is going to look like, but for now, I'm writing a book proposal to present at She Speaks. And yes, after reading your blog, I agree with you... God has gifted you. Keep moving forward! Awesome about softball. :) I was a lot more athletic before the 3 little ones came along. Nice getting to know you, too! Thanks for reading. :)

Paula, this is wonderful. I had forgotten that quote, but reading it again---and through Christ-loving eyes---really convicts me! I, too, struggle with the same things over and over and wonder WHY I can't seem to kick the bad to make room for more of God's goodness. Maybe because of the pronoun I just used, huh? Looking to my own strength rather than to His. Thanks for sharing.

Yep, I can't seem to get the "I" out of my vocabulary, either... Every time I write, I look to see how many times I used it... wow 3 times in that little phrase. :) Letting go of our own strength and letting Him lead is definitely something we should all be constantly striving for.

Paula, this is wonderful. I had forgotten that quote, but reading it again---and through Christ-loving eyes---really convicts me! I, too, struggle with the same things over and over and wonder WHY I can't seem to kick the bad to make room for more of God's goodness. Maybe because of the pronoun I just used, huh? Looking to my own strength rather than to His. Thanks for sharing.